Mountain Environments

Learning Experiences for International Students and Students with English as a Second Language

The Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah is an ideal location to share nature with students and engage them with plants and the environment in the world heritage listed Greater Blue Mountains. At 1000 metres above sea level, you will see vistas to Sydney while enjoying the unique cool climate plants.

Stages:

International Students & ESL

Duration:

2 hours

Location:

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

Price:

$16 per student. Minimum charges apply.

Contact:

programs.info@bgcp.nsw.gov.au

The learning experience is divided into four practical sessions based on the four stages of a learning system called ‘flow learning’ developed by Joseph Cornell. This ‘hands on method’ engages the senses and builds on experiences without overloading the students with too much information.

The experience ‘Mountain Environments’ uncovers the unique plants that are in Mount Tomah, including the dinosaur tree and the pristine cool temperate rainforest. A discovery walk down the mountain into ‘The Jungle’ is a highlight!

Stage 1: Awaken Enthusiasm. Develop an understanding of a range of plants that grow in the mountains environment from Gondwana to present.Stage 2: Focus Attention. Provide an opportunity to touch, smell and examine the selected plants.Stage 3: Direct Experience. Become immersed in the environments of the Jungle and mountainside of Mount Tomah. Make a clay fossil of the Wollemi Pine of the Jurassic eraStage 4: Share Inspiration. Exchange special moments and interesting learnt experiences with others on developed understanding and appreciation of the plants engaged with.

Our programs have a guide to student ratio of 1 : 30. Classes larger than 30 will be split into 30 or less. Please ensure you bring adequate supervision to meet this ratio.

The meeting point is at the Visitors Centre.

Ensure you arrive 30 minutes before your lesson commences to allow time for a snack, a visit to restrooms and to stow away bags. Our educators will meet you outside the Visitors Centre prior to your program commencement.

Our educators will lead your session, but the class teacher is responsible for the care of the students. Adult helpers are welcome to participate as well.

The lesson is a focused learning experience. The students will be more engaged if they have participated in some relevant pre-excursion activities.

Adult helpers will be an asset if they have roles given to them before the lesson.